Pet people are a special breed. This blog is for anyone who can't get enough news about the animals in our lives.

Pet lady: That's my role in the Miami Herald newsroom. I've been here since 1989, during which time I've had 11 dogs, a ring-necked parakeet, a chicken, and a lizard named Lance. At the moment, I have four dogs, one step-dog, and two cockatiels. A native New Yorker, I came here from Louisville, Ky. I'm a graduate of the University of Arizona, and had a Nieman Fellowship at Harvard in 1988. I have written 309 stories containing the word "dog" in the past 20 years.

October 29, 2009

Memphis Acts Against Shelter Abusers

DENVER, Oct. 27, 2009
–The
Shelby County, Tenn., Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant this morning as
part of an investigation into alleged animal abuse and cruelty at the City of
Memphis Animal Shelter, where American Humane’s Red Star Animal Emergency
Services™ team is currently helping care for pets. The Shelby County District
Attorney had requested earlier this month that the Sheriff’s Office investigate
after receiving a tip from a citizen concerned about the conditions at the
shelter.

According
to the warrant that was served this morning, “Detectives have learned that some
animals have been deprived of food and water while at the Memphis Animal
Shelter,” and while in the shelter’s care, “…some dogs have been starved to the
point of requiring euthanasia.” The search warrant also indicated that some of
the employees kept “…dogs that are to be quarantined for rabies with dogs that
are not required to be quarantined in the same kennel.”

In
addition, the warrant reported unsanitary conditions, overcrowding, and vicious
and sick animals being housed along with other pets.

“Animals
bring comfort and compassion to countless families,” said Shelby County Sheriff
Mark Luttrell. “Animals often depend on others for their safety and protection.
Once we were contacted by the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office, our
detectives immediately investigated the allegations of possible abuse.”

American
Humane and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
were asked by the Sheriff’s Office to help care for the animals during the
investigation.